Social Discounting and the Long Rate of Interest

Brody, D C and Hughston, L P. 2018. Social Discounting and the Long Rate of Interest. Mathematical Finance, 28(1), pp. 306-334. ISSN 0960-1627 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

The well‐known theorem of Dybvig, Ingersoll, and Ross shows that the long zero‐coupon rate can never fall. This result, which, although undoubtedly correct, has been regarded by many as surprising, stems from the implicit assumption that the long‐term discount function has an exponential tail. We revisit the problem in the setting of modern interest rate theory, and show that if the long “simple” interest rate (or Libor rate) is finite, then this rate (unlike the zero‐coupon rate) acts viably as a state variable, the value of which can fluctuate randomly in line with other economic indicators. New interest rate models are constructed, under this hypothesis and certain generalizations thereof, that illustrate explicitly the good asymptotic behavior of the resulting discount bond systems. The conditions necessary for the existence of such “hyperbolic” and “generalized hyperbolic” long rates are those of so‐called social discounting, which allow for long‐term cash flows to be treated as broadly “just as important” as those of the short or medium term. As a consequence, we are able to provide a consistent arbitrage‐free valuation framework for the cost‐benefit analysis and risk management of long‐term social projects, such as those associated with sustainable energy, resource conservation, and climate change.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/mafi.12122

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Computing

Dates:

DateEvent
15 January 2018Published
24 May 2016Published Online
1 September 2015Accepted

Item ID:

24509

Date Deposited:

22 Oct 2018 09:55

Last Modified:

09 Feb 2022 10:31

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/24509

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